Tragic accident reminds us golf carts are not toys for kids

Death is a fact of life, but that doesn't make it any easier when it happens to one of your loved ones, especially your child.

The family of 15-year-old Thomas Messina, a Hoover boy who was in the ninth grade at John Carroll Catholic High School, experienced a tragic loss last week.

Messina died on March 21 after falling off a golf cart in the Trace Crossings community. Police said he was a passenger in a cart being driven by another teen and was hanging on the side of the golf cart when he fell, striking his head on the pavement.

As the parent of a 15-year-old boy myself, my heart goes out to the Messinas. It could just as easily have been my 15-year-old.

Trying to blame someone for an accident like this serves little purpose. Accidents happen -- with bicycles, skateboards, scooters, go-carts and all-terrain vehicles. But it's a valuable reminder that golf carts are not toys.

They're not supposed to be on public streets unless equipped like other legal vehicles, including a license plate, head lights, tail lights and rearview mirror.

Even then, the driver must have a valid driver's license or have a permit and, if 15, be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older.

Over spring break, while out of state, my three sons and I went golfing. I thought my 15-year-old would be allowed to drive a golf cart on the course, but the club rules required drivers to be 16 and have a license.

I think my oldest son could have handled a cart just fine, but the starter at the club stuck to the rules, and my boys took turns riding in the cart I drove.

I've heard story after story about communities filled with kids driving golf carts all over the place. In many cases, they are doing so illegally -- and at risk of harm to themselves or others.

More than 1,000 people a month are injured in golf cart accidents across the country, according to a study done by University of Alabama at Birmingham doctors two years ago. Roughly half the accidents occurred on golf courses. The rest were at homes, on streets and on other public property.

The highest injury rates were found in 10- to 19-year-olds and men older than 80. Fractures and head trauma were the most common injuries.

Children's Hospital in Birmingham reports treating 27 children for golf cart injuries in the past four years, including 10 last year. About 70 percent were under 13.

Golf carts have a short wheel base and can flip over if turned too sharply. If parents allow their underage children to operate them, they should do so only under careful supervision -- and not on public streets.